Is there any reason not to use the Hopkins & Holloway stand off snake guides on a spey rod? I was either going to use these, or a style that sets right on the blank(Pac Bay I believe??). Or should I go with snake guides? Are these guides to "flimsy" for an 8wt. spey rod? Price is not as much as an issue as performance and weight. As far as performance goes, is it better to use a guide with an insert? If so, why don't the manafacturer's do this?

Thanks,
Shawn Smith

Manufacturers are out to make the most money from the least product. Not that they trying to give you a poor product, but they know what they sell something for and what they must build it for. A quality ceramic guide would add greatly to their cost, but maybe not so much to overall sales or selling price.

For my money you cannot beat the quality and performance of a Fuji guide. Other are catching up though.

The factories are building adequate rods intended for use by the masses. You can build a better rod with better materials and workmanship if you so desire. Today's manufacturing cost prevent most commercial operations from building what a craftsman would call truly fine product.

If you have the time, pick up a copy of "Heddon - The Rod With The Fighting Heart" and read the chapter on how their bamboo rods were made. It is a fascinating case history on how things used to be made and why they cannot be made like that in today's world.

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